Australian Formula 3 management believe extensive research is required before a decision is made to introduce an FIA-backed Asia Pacific F3 Championship.
The proposal would see the championship run out of Australia with competitors utilising a yet-to-be confirmed common chassis and engine package.
CAMS had tabled an idea to allow older machinery to be eligible for the proposed championship but it failed to receive support from the FIA.
It is understood the formation of an Asia Pacific F3 Championship could replace the current national F3 series if deemed viable.
Australian F3 boss Ian Richards has confirmed his organisation is in dicussions with CAMS regarding the concept which he feels could succeed but only if evaluated thoroughly.
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“There is a possibility that this kind of concept could succeed. But there is a lot of research and leg work to be done, and this will take time,” said Formula 3 category manager Richards.
“Given the amount of research to be done, it would be unlikely to see a new regional F3 platform in place before the start of 2019, keeping in mind it took Australia over two years to get Formula 4 on track from the time the regulations were approved by the FIA in March 2013.
“In the meantime we have to foster Formula 3 locally now, so if and when the time comes to launch a new FIA championship we’re not coming off a zero base.
“This will require CAMS to ‘step up to the plate’ and endorse Australian Formula 3 as a category on the open wheel driver development pathway.”
Read the full Australian Formula 3 statement below.
AUSTRALIAN FORMULA 3 MANAGEMENT notes comments in the media made by both CAMS and FIA administrators recently regarding the possibility of a FIA Formula 3 Pacific Championship, based out of Australia, to replace the CAMS Australian Formula 3 Championship.
This would form a part of a second tier of “Formula 3” under the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, but would not be the same technical formula as the existing Formula 3.
Formula 3 Management, as the category manager of Australian Formula 3, is currently in discussion with CAMS on the future of Formula 3 in the region. Those discussions, in the context of launching a “new formula,” are at a very early stage.
Only the concept of regional F3 has been ratified by the FIA. The specification of the car, engine, and the costs, are all at concept stage. The FIA Single Seater Commission’s Technical Working Group are working on various aspects of the concept for the next 6 months. From that, regulations will be have to be developed.
There has been no statement by any national F3 championship organiser supporting any of the proposals discussed in the media.
The current national championships mentioned as candidates for expansion to a regional F3 platform, rely either fully (Brazil, Australia), or partially (Japan), on the use of older specification European Formula 3 cars.
Additionally, any proposal by CAMS to create a regional F3 championship will only succeed with immediate and unconditional support by CAMS of the existing category and stakeholders in the interim.
“There is a possibility that this kind of concept could succeed. But there is a lot of research and leg work to be done, and this will take time,” said Formula 3 Management’s Ian Richards.
“Given the amount of research to be done, it would be unlikely to see a new regional F3 platform in place before the start of 2019, keeping in mind it took Australia over two years to get Formula 4 on track from the time the regulations were approved by the FIA in March 2013.”
“In the meantime we have to foster Formula 3 locally now, so if and when the time comes to launch a new FIA championship we’re not coming off a zero base.
“This will require CAMS to ‘step up to the plate’ and endorse Australian Formula 3 as a category on the open wheel driver development pathway.”
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